Chiba Prefectural Hokusō Hanano-oka Park 北総花の丘公園

Varied landscapes, birdwatching, and flowers

After an appointment in Inzai City, I strolled through the prefectural park near Chiba Newtown Chuo Station. It's appealing for its various landscapes with rolling hills, wide lawns, forests, and a deep swampy area. The place is a big draw for bird watchers. On the bridge overlooking the marsh, herons, egrets, and other birds rest here in huge numbers. I spotted cormorants and some birds of prey flying over. There is a small rose garden and a grove of hydrangeas in the shade of conifers. The park is discontinuous, designated blocks A to E. You have to cross some intersections (with traffic lights) to access some of the blocks.